Lens assembly for lighting fixture

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a lighting fixture. In one embodiment, the lighting fixture includes a reflector and a lens. The reflector includes a first flange that defines a forward opening and includes at least one tab receiver outside of the forward opening. The lens has an outer periphery and includes at least one tab that is configured to mate with the tab receiver of the first flange, such that when each tab is mated with a corresponding tab receiver, the lens is affixed to the reflector. In this arrangement, there are no dark spots visible on the lens due to the presence of the tabs when light is emanating from the lighting fixture.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A lighting fixture comprising:
 a reflector comprising a first flange that defines a forward opening and includes at least one tab receiver outside of the forward opening and extending towards a rear of the reflector; and 
 a lens having an outer periphery and comprising at least one tab and a peripheral ridge on a forward face of the lens where the at least one tab is aligned with the peripheral ridge, the at least one tab being configured to mate with the at least one tab receiver of the first flange, wherein when the at least one tab is mated with the at least one tab receiver, the lens is affixed to the reflector. 
 
     
     
       2. The lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein the at least one tab extends rearward toward the reflector and comprises a distal end with an ear and the at least one tab receiver provides a channel configured to receive the at least one tab. 
     
     
       3. The lighting fixture of  claim 2  wherein the channel extends between an aperture in a forward face of the first flange and an opening that provides a ledge on which the ear locks once the at least one tab is inserted into the channel a defined distance. 
     
     
       4. The lighting fixture of  claim 3  wherein the at least one tab is sprung laterally inward as the ear travels through the channel and moves laterally outward once the ear clears the ledge upon the at least one tab being inserted into the channel the defined distance. 
     
     
       5. The lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein the at least one tab receiver is a female locking mechanism, the at least one tab is a male locking mechanism, and the female locking mechanism and the male locking mechanism are configured to mate with one another. 
     
     
       6. The lighting fixture of  claim 1  further comprising a housing having an interior in which the reflector is mounted. 
     
     
       7. The lighting fixture of  claim 6  wherein the housing includes a second flange that provides a part of a decorative trim ring for the lighting fixture. 
     
     
       8. The lighting fixture of  claim 7  wherein when the lens is affixed to the reflector, the lens is at least twenty-five percent (25%) recessed into the interior of the housing. 
     
     
       9. The lighting fixture of  claim 6  further comprising a diffuser that resides between the lens and the first flange. 
     
     
       10. The lighting fixture of  claim 6  wherein the reflector is conical, the housing is substantially cylindrical, and the lens is substantially circular. 
     
     
       11. The lighting fixture of  claim 6  further comprising an array of LEDs arranged near a rearward opening that is opposite the forward opening and arranged such that light emanating from the array of LEDs is directed forward through the lens. 
     
     
       12. The lighting fixture of  claim 11  wherein there are no dark spots visible on the lens due to the presence of the at least one tab when light is emanating from the array of LEDs. 
     
     
       13. The lighting fixture of  claim 11  wherein there are essentially no dark spots visible on the lens due to the presence of the at least one tab when light is emanating from the array of LEDs. 
     
     
       14. The lighting fixture of  claim 11  wherein the array of LEDs comprises at least one LED that emits reddish light and at least one LED that emits either a bluish yellow light or a bluish green light. 
     
     
       15. The lighting fixture of  claim 11  further comprising a control module for powering the array of LEDs. 
     
     
       16. The lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein the lens is at least one of polycarbonate or acrylic glass. 
     
     
       17. The lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein the lighting fixture is a recessed lighting fixture. 
     
     
       18. The lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein the at least one tab comprises a plurality of tabs and the at least one tab receiver comprises a like plurality of tab receivers. 
     
     
       19. A lighting fixture comprising:
 a reflector comprising a first flange that defines a forward opening and includes at least one tab receiver outside of the forward opening and extending towards a rear of the reflector; 
 a lens having an outer periphery and comprising at least one tab and a peripheral ridge on a forward face of the lens where the at least one tab is aligned with the peripheral ridge, the at least one tab being configured to mate with the at least one tab receiver of the first flange, wherein when the at least one tab is mated with the at least one tab receiver, the lens is affixed to the reflector; 
 a housing having an interior in which the reflector is mounted; 
 an array of LEDs arranged near a rearward opening that is opposite the forward opening and arranged such that light emanating from the array of LEDs is directed forward through the lens, wherein there are no dark spots visible on the lens due to the presence of the at least one tab when light is emanating from the array of LEDs.